BANDAGES 



345 



from 6 to 10 in. wide, the two ends of which are slit 

 equally toward the middle, leaving only about 6 or 8 

 in. intact. It is most useful for bandaging the head 

 and should be applied as shown in the accompanying 

 illustrations. 



Compress. Compresses are made of 10 to 15 lay- 

 ers of cheesecloth or soft sheeting, of the size necessary 

 to cover the part, except in those cases where it is 

 easier to use several compresses of a smaller size. They 

 may be used dry for pressure, or moistened with hot 

 water or antiseptic solutions. Compresses are used to 

 apply pressure, heat, or medication to sprained joints or 

 injuries where the skin is not broken. In case of wounds, 

 the compresses may be freed from microbes (sterilized) 

 by baking to a light brown in an oven or by steaming 

 for fifteen minutes. They may then be safely applied to 

 the cut surface to check bleeding and to prevent 

 infection. 



Splints. Splints consist of light pieces of wood, card- 

 board, or any other stiff material. When bandaged on, 



FIG. 155. Padded splints applied to fractured leg for temporary support. 



they serve to hold broken bones and sprained or dislo- 

 cated joints in place and thereby relieve pain and pre- 

 vent further injury. The accompanying illustrations 

 show several methods of utilizing splints'. It will be 



